LYDIA, La. --- Taste delicious Cajun dishes and experience carnival rides, cool cars, live bands, and arts and crafts at the Lydia Cajun Food Fest. The Lydia Cancer Association will hold this annual fundraiser on Sept. 13-14, 2013, at Weeks Park in Lydia, La. The proceeds will benefit cancer patients in Iberia, Vermilion, St. Martin and St. Mary Parish.

The Food Fest starts on Friday, Sept. 13, at 5 p.m. with children's carnival rides, food vendors, as well as music by The Bad Boys (6:30 - 8:30 p.m.) and Side Show (9 - 11 p.m.)

On Saturday, Sept. 14, the Bayou Country Cruisers' open car show begins at 8 a.m., followed by the opening ceremonies and poker run at 9 a.m., and the survival walk at 9:30 a.m. Revelers can sample diverse Cajun specialties at the People's Choice Cook-off and enjoy carnival rides, arts and crafts booths and live music.

The fais-do-do's lineup includes Jr. Flores and the Bayou Boys (10 - 11:30 a.m.), Geno Delafose & French Rockin' Boogie (noon - 2 p.m.), The Bayou Classics (2:30 - 4:15 p.m.), Taken Back Yesterday (4:45 - 6:30 p.m.), and Blue Eyed Doll (7 - 9 p.m.). 

The Food Fest carries on the vision of James Frawley Jr. who lost his battle with cancer in 2004. Frawley funded the Morton Salt Co. Relay for Life team in 1998 to help cancer patients in need. The team was incorporated and became LCA in 2003, in time to hold its first Food Fest. The non-profit organization now provides financial assistance to hundreds of local cancer patients each year. 

For information, contact Ronald Landry, 337-365-3005, or Reed Freeman, 337-577-0376, Lydiacancerassociation.org.